The 36th Annual Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival presented by Trek and produced by Life TimeSM, the nation’s only Healthy Way of Life brand is set for the weekend of Sept. 15 in Hayward and Cable, Wisc. The event is one of the longest running and largest off road cycling events in the nation.

A total of 3,100 riders will participate in the festival, including a sold-out field of 2,100 riders in the Chequamegon 40, which starts on Main Street in Hayward and finishes at Mt. Telemark. Another 1,000 riders will start at the same time in downtown Cable and race 16 miles in the Short & Fat, which also finishes at Mt. Telemark. Both events start at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 15.

Bib pick-up runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the Big Top Chequamegon tent on the Mt. Telemark grounds in Cable on Friday Sept. 14. Both of Saturday’s races will finish in the Telemark stadium area just outside the big top tent.

The weekend kicks off with the sponsor and vendor expo, as well as the pasta feast that runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday under the canvas.

The Chequamegon 40 will again use seven starting gates and the Short & Fat, six gates. The Elite Men’s and Women’s Gate 1 will feature the best riders in both events.

Several top riders and former champions are returning for the main events – the Chequamegon 40 and the Short & Fat. In the 40, last year’s men’s champion Payson McElveen will return to defend his title. He will be challenged by six-time defending champion Brian Matter hoping for an extraordinary seventh title. Others in the mix for the men’s title include former champions Corey Stelljes and Jeff Hall. Also keep your eye on Cole House, TJ Woodruff and Joseph Schmalz from Lawrence, KS riding in his first Chequamegon 40 to be in the running.

A star studded line for the women’s championship include former champions Sarah Kylander-Johnson and Catherine Walberg. Top returning finisher Jill Cederholm will be tough to beat. Local favorite from Iron River, Wisc, Ronnie LaJoie will be a contender

In the Short & Fat, both men’s and women’s races look to be quite competitive.
In the men’s, a young field includes returning champion Daxton Mock who will be pushed by Calvin Sandberg and Pavel Nelson.

In the women’s Short & Fat, keep an eye out for Rebecca Sauber and Zoe Camp.

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

On the lighter side of things, the Friday Funday events for adults will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the finish line. Adult fun continues on Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. These festivities are held at the Mt. Telemark event site and will put some fun into the fat with complimentary events for those over age 12. Folks can enjoy Bicycle Bowling, Klunker Toss, Bicycle Limbo, Lumber Jack and Jill Log Pull. The Funday Events are free and open to the public.

The festival features several children’s events starting with decorated bicycle parades in Cable and Hayward on Saturday morning. Bike decoration starts at 8 a.m. and the parades begin at 9 a.m. In Hayward children should gather on the 200 block of Main Street, and in Cable at the fire hall behind the former Cable Grade School. On Saturday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Children’s Bicycle Rodeo and Kids Criterium will be held at the Mt. Telemark finish line.

For all participants, there will be prizes, surprises and treats. The parade and rodeo are free and open to all kids under 12. Helmets required.

ROAD CLOSURES

Forest roads along the race route will have limited access on the day of the race from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Only permitted race vehicles, local residents and hunters will have access during this time. Spectator traffic will not be allowed in the closed road area.

In the town of Spider Lake, Telemark Road/Spider Lake Fire Lane from Clear Lake Road north to the town line, Boedecker Road from the town line east to Spider Lake Fire Lane and Janet Road from the town line north to Boedecker Road will be closed.

In the town of Lenroot, Boedecker Road from Northern Lights Road east to the town line and Janet Road from Highway OO north to the town line will be closed.

The Spider Lake Fire Lane from Telemark Road south to the town line will be closed in the town of Cable.

Race support vehicles need a permit from race headquarters prior to race morning to use these closed roads. Contact the Chequamegon office before race morning at cheqfat@lt.life with details of rider receiving support, the support vehicle driver’s name and vehicle type.

These road closures will increase rider safety during the event. Spectators using these roads need to be in place before 10:30 a.m.

“NO PARKING” RESTRICTIONS IN HAYWARD AND CABLE ON RACE MORNING

Hayward residents and visitors should take note the entire length of Main Street from Railroad Street to Wittwer Road will be a NO PARKING area from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, for the start of the Chequamegon 40.

The city will barricade all intersecting side streets by 6 a.m. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s office will allow passage across Main Street on Highway 63 and at Fifth Street until just before the start of the race at 10 a.m.

In Cable, County Highway M near the Short & Fat start area, First Street east of First Avenue to Randysek Road and Randysek Road south of M will be posted no parking. Also, do not park in the United Church of Christ lot next to the Short & Fat start line or the Trinity Lutheran Church at Spruce Street and Randysek.

Do not leave vehicles in the local business lots during either race.About Life Time® — Healthy Way of Life
Life Time champions a healthy and happy life for its members across 129 destinations in 37 major markets in the U.S. and Canada. As the nation’s only Healthy Way of Life brand, Life Time delivers an unmatched athletic resort experience and provides a comprehensive healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment experience that goes well beyond fitness to encompasses the entire spectrum of daily life for individuals, couples and families of all ages.

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